Friluftsliv: Free, Air & Life – and the wider benefits of having a garden

Norway is currently investigating the effects of nature on human beings, and just how much humankind can benefit from being around the natural environment. The forward thinking Scandinavians are publishing helpful details to advise on the best way to interact with nature, and how much time is needed outdoors to help us enrich our lives.

The Norwegians use an expression: Friluftsliv, which is an amalgamation of the words for free, air and life, but it is probably best translated as ‘outdoors lifestyle’. The moniker simply describes the benefits of spending time outside of the house, as it costs nothing and the natural environment will really improve your health and wellbeing.

A study entitled What are the Benefits of Interacting with Nature?, produced by The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health in 2013, showed conclusive evidence that “interacting with nature delivers measurable benefits to people.” The report also found that understanding these issues was particularly important for “maintaining and improving human well-being in a rapidly urbanising world.”

 

 

The Norwegian Journal of Friluftsliv: The Healing Power of Nature, also supports this standpoint and asserts that “Nature is essential for human existence, health, development and well-being. Yet in recent years humans in developed countries have had much less contact with nature than in previous times.”

It’s clear that you can enhance your quality of life by spending time surrounded by nature, but beyond an invigorating hike within beautiful countryside having a pleasant garden environment brings nature to you every day.

The act of gardening itself is also a positive and therapeutic pastime. Aside from the sheer happiness and sense of achievement of seeing bulbs grow into colourful flowers, there is the exercise and the calming nature of working with soil.

Health related studies have shown that for people over 60, undertaking work in the garden can reduce the risk of a heart attack by as much as 30%, and daily exposure to Vitamin D will reduce the chance of heart disease, osteoporosis, and various cancers.

Horticultural therapy has also had proven results in the field of mental illness: the combination of physical movement, the stimulating environment and the satisfaction of completing work have a huge benefit for anyone suffering from depression and anxiety. What better way to relieve stress than with a bit of constructive weeding and concentrated digging?

If you have the outdoor space available on your property, and the ability to introduce more green areas around your home, then there appear to be very few reasons not to have a garden. Afterall, what could be more pleasurable than creating a positive change both in your own life, and for the landscape around you, by nurturing plants and flowers from seeds?

 

About La Menara

La Menara Landscape Design Studio creates innovative and environmentally friendly private and commercial gardens that work effectively in their surrounding landscape. For more information contact us today.